“What does adoption mean to a child?”

About Adopted Children

While you may be able to envision your life after the adoption, what about your child's life? How will he or she grow up? Will they be happy? What will your child know and think about you? Will they understand your loving adoption decision? Will your child even know he or she was adopted?

These are all very common questions that women considering adoption have about their children. As an expectant mother considering adoption, you love your baby and want to provide the best possible life for him or her — so it’s natural to wonder if he or she will grow up to be truly happy and loved in an adoptive home.

In the articles below, find out how increased openness in today's adoptions has drastically changed the lives of adopted children and how they feel about themselves and their birth parents.

To learn more about how adoption can impact your future and that of your child, you can always speak with an adoption specialist at 1-800-ADOPTION, for free and with zero obligation.

Learn about what it’s like growing up adopted. This article from American Adoptions discusses the health and happiness of adopted children, including statistics on the measurable drawbacks and benefits of being adopted.

Will my child understand adoption? This is a common question asked by women considering adoption. Read about how children understand adoption in this article, and find out how in modern adoptions, there is no more secrecy.

Many women wonder how the adoptive family they choose will tell their child about the adoption. Find out how families today share their child's adoption story with them, and how children know their adoption story from day one.

Are you placing a baby for adoption and concerned about how to explain adoption to your older child(ren)? Get tips from American Adoptions so you will be ready to answer your child’s questions about adoption.

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

American Adoptions, a private adoption agency founded on the belief that lives of children can be bettered through adoption, provides safe adoption services to children, birth parents and adoptive families by educating, supporting and coordinating necessary services for adoptions throughout the United States. For more information on American Adoptions, please call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846)